Ethan

Small

The 27-year-old southpaw was non-tendered back in November but decided it was in his best interests to return to the Giants on a minor league deal. Small pitched exclusively in the minor leagues during the 2024 season, posting a 4.85 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 16/2 K/BB ratio over 13 innings while missing the majority of the year with a right oblique strain. He’ll continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Giants.

Teng had already been DFA’d, so that was obviously coming. Small, who was acquired from Milwaukee in February, missed most of the season with an oblique strain. He still might become a useful bullpen piece at some point.

Small has been shelved since the end of spring training due to a right oblique strain. He made 10 appearances on a minor league rehab assignment — the last six at Triple-A Sacramento — where he has compiled a 7.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and an 11/7 K/BB ratio over nine innings. He’ll continue to work his way through his struggles at the Triple-A level.

Small was acquired back in early February from the Brewers and has been on the shelf since mid-March due to a right oblique strain. The 27-year-old lefty just kicked off a minor league rehab assignment this week and figures to be ready to make his San Francisco debut at some point next month.

Small, who was acquired from the Brewers last month, was in the hunt for a bullpen spot before getting hurt two weeks ago. Now he won’t be an option until June.

Small’s absence puts some additional strain on the Giants’ left-handed relief depth as he’s a lock to open the season on the injured list. The 27-year-old southpaw was acquired last month from the Brewers and seemed like a strong bet to make the club’s season-opening roster.

The 26-year-old southpaw had been designated for assignment by the Brewers earlier in the week, so they were willing to flip him for anything they could get. While he struggled in his limited big league sample, Small pitched well at Triple-A Nashville in 2023 — registering a 3.18 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 61/24 K/BB ratio over 51 frames. The Giants had an opening on their 40-man roster after dealing Ross Stripling to the Athletics over the weekend, so they’ll utilize that spot to gamble that Small can carry that success over to the big league level in 2024.

Small has been removed from Milwaukee’s 40-man roster to make room for the additions of recent trade acquisitions Joey Ortiz and DL Hall. The 26-year-old was a notable pitching prospect in the Brewers’ system just a few years ago, but hasn’t found success in a couple brief stints in the big leagues. There’s a strong possibility another organization is willing to roll the dice here.

The Brewers added a couple of fresh arms to their bullpen on Friday and unfortunately Small was one of the roster casualties. The 26-year-old hurler registered an uninspiring 11.25 ERA, 2.75 WHIP and a 6/2 K/BB ratio over four innings with the Brewers during the 2023 campaign.

Small was a highly-touted prospect last year for the Brewers, but has made just three appearances (two starts) in the big leagues over the past two seasons. The 26-year-old southpaw heads back to the big leagues as extra long relief depth for Milwaukee with J.B. Bukauskas (finger) landing on the injured list.